ATA Agrees to Boost Support for Biodiesel

Group Also Backs Fuel Efficiency, Better Driver Training
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ARLINGTON, Va. — American Trucking Associations said last week it would become more vocal in its support for increased fuel efficiency in heavy trucks and ratified an agreement with the biodiesel industry to promote that fuel at the federal level.During ATA’s winter executive meeting Feb. 12-13, the association also backed competency-based — rather than hours-based — training standards for new drivers and rejected a proposal to allow nonmember companies to participate in the federation’s National Truck Driving Championships.In backing a push on fuel efficiency, ATA officials said it was important to emphasize that environmental efforts can often lead to increased fuel consumption.“Historically, there’s been a trade off between emissions reductions and fuel efficiency,” said Rich Moskowitz, ATA’s regulatory counsel. “We need to make sure federal agencies do a better job coordinating their actions and understanding the impact that certain environmental regulations have on fuel efficiency.”For the full story, see the Feb. 19 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.